Leeds Rhinos Reserves v Salford Red Devils Reserves Match Report
Salford Red Devils Reserve Team recorded their 1st league success of the season after a fantastic comeback win away at Leeds Rhinos.
Leeds started well and Salford were immediately under pressure, Salford winger Joe Brady kicked the ball dead after 2 minutes as the Rhinos went though their attacking moves. Leeds took the lead after 5 minutes a interception by winger Makenzie Turner turned defence into attack for the Rhinos and winger Kiden Hartley found his way over the line for a early score.
The Rhino extended their lead after 11 minutes, Salford's defence was burst wide open down the middle of the field and stand off David Gibbons had the pace to go over, Gibbons converted his own try and the Rhinos lead by 10 points.
Salford's forwards found a foothold in the game and after 20 minutes started asking questions of the Leeds defence, hooker Jonny Openshaw who was Salford's man of the match linked up well with 2nd row forward Henry Davis but after a barnstorming run the ball was lost and the danger subsided.
Leeds extended their lead further after 31 minutes, Gibbons again found space and ran 40 metres to score his 2nd try, his conversion was good and Salford trailed 16-0.
As the game drifted towards half time prop forwards Alex Davidson and Connor Tyrell got on the front foot and Salford started making inroads into the Leeds defence, 7 minutes before half time Openshaw linked up with Centre Owen Blackford who's footwork was too much for the Rhinos defence and Salford were on the board, 16-4 at half time.
Salford built on the momentum of the 1st half and scored 5 minutes into the 2nd half, Stand off Jack Stevens created space for Alex Davison who caused chaos in the Leeds defence and from the resulting play of the ball Openshaw dived over by the posts, Fullback Josh Rourke converted and Salford trailed 16-10.
After a period of Leeds pressure Salford hit the Rhinos with a counter punch from distance after 54 minutes, another Openshaw break, support play by Blackwood sent scrum half Toby Hughes over the line, it was the try of the match that flowed fully 80 metres, Rourke kicked the conversion and the game was tied at 16 all.
Salford had the wind in their sails and the centre wing partnership of Miles Dalton Harrop and Nathan Taylor caused chaos in the Leeds defence on the left hand side, a kick by Hughes to the other wing gave Brady a chance but the bounce of the ball eluded the on rushing winger.
After 67 minutes the comeback was complete for the Red Devils, good work by Alex Davidson and 2nd row Matty Unsworth created a platform for Stevens to send a looping pass to Taylor who scored in the corner.
The touchline conversion by Rourke was good and Salford lead 16-22,
Leeds Rhinos are a champion team and they refused to give in, on 73 minutes a kick by Leeds standoff Bayley Gill was collected by winger Will Gatus who beat the Salford defence to score, Gibbons converted and the match was set for a grandstand finish.
Fortune favours the brave and after inventive play by Salford's Matt Unsworth and Loose forward Jordan Brown The Red Devils were rewarded as Openshaw found space in a tiring Rhinos defence to dive over the line for his 2nd try of the game to record a famous Salford win.
Time ticked on and Salford "game managed" the last couple of minutes, a fantastic result for Stuart Wilkinson's men who after a few defeats this season will be looking forward to kicking on after this win.
Match Report Rob Parkinson
Picture by Salford Red Devils.
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